enly. From a bank of dark clouds in the northern
horizon a bright ray darted upwards towards the zenith, expanding like a
fan, and illuminating the whole ocean. Scarcely had he spoken when it
died away, and darkness once more reigned over the world of waters.
Before a minute, however, had elapsed, a magnificent arch, from which
darted forth rays of varied colours, appeared. By degrees the light
grew more and more intense, till the whole sky was spread over with a
sheet of brightness; but not for a moment did it remain at rest--the
most brilliant red, purple, orange, and yellow tints streamed upwards in
innumerable radiations, with every possible variety of hues which a
combination of these colours could produce. Now the rays seemed to
close, now they opened again, like a vast variously-tinted umbrella,
till the bright dome of heaven was all a-blaze. Now and then the stars
could be seen beyond the mass of light; now they altogether paled, and
were concealed by the marvellous glare.

"This is indeed beautiful," exclaimed Willy. "I should so like to call
the Miss Morleys; they would be sorry to miss it."

"Thank you," said Harry, "I wish you would, and do so softly, so as not
to alarm them."

"Miss Morley," said Willy, going to the side of their cabin, "there is a
splendid display of the Aurora Australis, and Shafto thinks you would
like to see it."

One of the young ladies was apparently awake; she called her sister,
and, wrapped in their cloaks, they stood for some time gazing at the
wonderful spectacle. Mere words indeed cannot describe it, nor can the
painter's pencil. It continued for nearly half-an-hour, varying during
the time in its form. Now the arch grew still more brilliant, then it
suddenly melted away, dropping downwards in a sheet of flame; now it
arose once more, and the same brilliant and varied hues again appeared.
As Willy was looking out eastward, his eye was attracted by a vast mass
of brilliant light, now assuming one colour, now another, yet the form
remained the same. He called Harry's attention to it.

"It is an iceberg," exclaimed Harry, "and directly in our course. Had
it not been lighted up by the Aurora, we might have been close upon it
without its being observed." He carefully took its bearings by the
compass, while the Aurora continued. Even the men at the oars could not
help uttering exclamations of astonishment while the glorious spectacle
was exhibited before them. At len